Business Waste and Recycling

Under the Environmental Protection Act, businesses have a Duty of Care to ensure that any waste they produce is handled safely and within the law. Commercial and industrial wastes (including hazardous/special wastes) are classified as controlled waste. The duty applies to businesses who produce, import, transport, store, treat or dispose of controlled waste.

Companies have a duty to ensure that waste is managed properly, recovered or disposed of safely, does not cause harm to human health or pollution of the environment and is only transferred to someone who is authorised to receive it (e.g. suitably licensed/permitted waste contractor or waste management site). The duty of care requires businesses to keep documentary evidence of their waste management and potentially requires environmental permits depending on quantities, types of wastes produced and how they are managed by the business.

Information and support to comply with the duty of care as well as general resource efficiency advice is available to businesses from a number of organisations. Business Link is Governments central point of contact offering impartial business support and advice. The Business Link website includes advice and guidance on sustainability and waste management with links to other relevant Government departments and third party organisations.

Working with Business Link, the re3 Councils (Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham) have conducted local business waste research and jointly developed a business waste strategy and action plan. The research report, strategy/action plan and details of business waste services at the Smallmead and Longshot Lane Household Waste Recycling Centres can be found on the re3 website.